Long Time No See

A week later, outside the observation room of the newly completed Technical Laboratory at the edge of the mountains in Tanba District.

Scholars and alchemists from all sides sat before the screens, staring wide-eyed at the scene inside the observation room. Professor Anton, specially assigned as technical advisor, picked up the intercom in his hand. "You may begin, Mr. Huai Shi."

In the empty space of the observation room, Huai Shi raised his hand and temporarily removed the Continuance Institute's monitor. The flesh of his right arm swiftly took on the texture of steel, intricate mechanisms unfolding to reveal blood-red flames coiling within.

—Forging Furnace, activated.

In his hand, the heavy chunk of raw iron ore quickly began to glow crimson. Under observation, the temperature inside the room began to soar.

It was as if an invisible spark burned fiercely within it.

Fine crackling came from the fist-sized iron ore beneath his five fingers. The glowing red color vanished in an instant, and cracks now covered the surface of the intact ore.

Huai Shi withdrew his hand and fastened the monitoring bracelet back on.

The forging was complete.

More precisely, the demonstration of the "extraction" stage was complete.

When he picked up the hammer beside him and struck the cracked ore, countless fragments of stone powder fell away, scattering impurity-filled grains across the floor.

On the original platform, the raw iron ore had become an iron bar as thick as a finger, bearing beautiful snowflake patterns.

"Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Huai Shi." The researchers hurried over and handed him water and a towel.

Sweat had already appeared on Huai Shi's forehead.

After waving to indicate that he did not need rest, he turned and went outside the observation room to join the discussion.

This was a demonstration